Cyber fraudsters send fake HMWSSB bill messages in Hyderabad
Cyber fraudsters are sending fake HMWSSB bill messages in Hyderabad, threatening water supply disconnection to trick people into sharing bank details. The HMWSSB clarified it never asks for payments through third-party links and urged the public to stay alert
Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters are impersonating the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and targeting unsuspecting individuals with fake text messages demanding immediate bill payment.
The fraud is carried out by threatening to disconnect the water supply if the payments are not cleared, creating panic among consumers.
Several citizens in the city have recently reported receiving SMS alerts from mobile numbers that look similar to official government service IDs. These messages usually warn about a pending water bill along with a link to make instant payment, or else the water connection will be disconnected the same night.
Recently, a consumer from the ECIL area received such an SMS with a link. Fearing that the water connection might be cut, he clicked on the link and immediately got a phone call from a person speaking in Hindi. The caller asked him to share personal and bank details. Sensing something suspicious, the consumer disconnected the call.
Cybercrime officials said the malicious links redirect victims to fake payment websites that look like the official HMWSSB portal.
“The consumers who fall into the trap are asked to enter sensitive bank or card details. Once the details are entered, the fraudsters take away funds from the victim’s accounts,” said a cybercrime official.
The HMWSSB has also clarified that it does not send such threatening messages or ask for payments through third-party links. Payments are collected only through official channels.
